Arch-supporting shoe



April 10, 1928.

J. JONES ARCH SUPPORTING SHOE FiIed May Z51,- 1927 Patented Apr. 10,1928.

UNITED STATES JOHN JONES, OF WILKES-BARBIE, PENNSYLVANIA.

ARCH-SUPPORTING- SHOE.

Application filed May 31,

This invention relates to shoes provided with built in arch supports forcorrection or curative purposes; and it consists of a pack ing piece ofleather or similar material of peculiar formation secured under theshank portion and heel of the shoe below the usual steel shankstiffener, as hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side view of the lower part of a shoeconstructed according to this invention, and showing the outsole andheel in section. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the shoe, from below, with theout sole removed. Fig. 3 is a cross-section through the packing piece,taken on the line 3-3 in Fig. 2. Figs. and 5 are cross sections throughthe packing piece, taken on the lines 4.4= and 55 in Fig. 2,respectively. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section through a portion of thepacking piece, taken on the line 6-6 in Fig. 2.

The out sole 7, the heel 8, and the upper 11 of the shoe are of anyapproved make, and the shoe has an insole 9, a welt 10, and

a steel shank stiffener 12, such as usually provided. The steel shankstiffener 12 is secured centrally and directly to the insole in anysuitable way, and the usual granular packing 14 is applied to the insoleat its front portion, and along its outer side portion as far as theshank.

No granular packing is usually applied to the heel and shank portions ofthe shoe, or to a portion of its inner side portion under the part inline with the big toe, but may be if desirable. It is not usuallyadvantageous to have granular packing material except at those parts ofthe shoe as shown, as it would make the shoe sole inconveniently thickand heavy for ordinary wear.

A packing piece 15 of leather is secured by cement or otherwise underthose portions of the insole to which the granular packing 14 is notapplied. Leather is preferred, but other similar flexible material canbe used. This packing piece is shaped to conform to the insole at theheel and shank, and it has a pointed portion or tongue 16 at its frontend in line with the big toe. The upper side of the packing piece issubstantially flatin its cross-sections where it bears on the insole andsteel shank stiffener, but the packing piece is curved longitudinally toconform to those parts. The underside of the packing piece 15 is beveledtowards its edges and ends all around it from certain relative- 1927.Serial No. 195,349.

ly thick portions. These thick portions are an oval portion 18 at themiddle of the tongue 16, an oval portion 19 in front of the heel, at theinner side portion thereof, and a curved ridge 20 which extends betweenthe portions 18 and 19 parallel to the adjacent curved edge of thepacking piece. The location of these parts 18, 19 and 20. is indicatedby dotted lines in Fig. 2, and the thick parts 18 and 19 form thickenedextensions of the. ridge 20.

The portions 18 and 19 are of the same thickness, and the ridge 20between them is not quite so thick. The portions or projections 18, 19and 20, all have rounded undersurfaces, and the packing piece is beveledin every direction from these portions to its adjacent edges and endswhich are relatively thin and sharp, so that its side edges do notproject below the level of the welt.

The out sole 7 is secured to the welt and heel portion of the shoe inany approved way, under the packing piece and granular packing. Thespring shank stifl'ener is reinforced by the ridge 20 the middle part ofwhich comes under it, and the thick portions 18 and 19 support the footof the wearer at points which are desirable for corrective and curativepurposes. The edges of the packing piece is made flush with the adjacentgranular packing so that the out sole has a good bearing.

WVhat I claim is:

1. An arch supporting shoe, comprising an upper provided with a welt, aninsole, a spring shank stiffener secured directly to the insole andarranged on the longitudinal center line of the shoe, a packing piecearranged under the shank stiffener and extending under the shank andheel portions of the insole for their full width and having a projectingtongue at one side arranged in line with the big toe portion of theshoe, said packing piece being beveled at each side and at its ends,granular packing under the remaining front portion of the insole, and anout sole secured to the welt under the said packing piece and granularpacking.

2. An arch supporting shoe, comprising an upper provided with a welt, aninsole, a

spring shank stiffener secured directly to the insole and arranged onthe longitudinal center line of the shoe, a packing piece arranged underthe shank stifi'ener and extending under the shank and heel portions ofthe ins le f r their full width and having a projecting tongue at oneside arranged in line with the big toe portion of the shoe, said packingpiece having relatively thick portions under its tongue and adjacent toits. heel portion and having a curved ridge of less thickness than saidrelatively thick portions and extending between them, said ridge beingarranged to underlap the sald shank stiffener and said packing piecebeing beveled at each side and at its ends, granular 10 In testimonywhereof I have aflixed my 15 signature.

JOHN JONES.

